27/06/2026
Did you know? In Australian family law, the Court's paramount consideration is always the best interests of the child—not the preferences of either parent.
Sections 60CA and 60CC of the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) require the Court to consider factors such as the child's safety, emotional and developmental needs, and each parent's capacity to provide appropriate care. This principle has been reinforced in leading cases including U v U (2002), MRR v GR (2010), and Goode & Goode (2006).
Every parenting case turns on its own facts, but the child's welfare always comes first.